Apparatus for grouping products and separating discrete batches, for packaging

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for grouping products and separating discrete batches, for packaging, which comprises a portioning device which has:a belt which can slide between a plurality of movement and transmission rollers, the arrangement of the rollers defining the transverse profile of the belt,a plurality of partitions which extend from the belt at right angles thereto, outward from the transverse profile.The portioning device comprises at least one curved section which is curved substantially outward from the transverse profile of the belt, between two of the rollers.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for grouping productsand/or separating discrete batches, for packaging.

The invention can be applied in the food industry, for grouping and/orseparating discrete batches of snacks and biscuits. However, theinvention can also be employed in other industrial sectors where it isnecessary to separate a plurality of individual products into a singlepackage or to group discrete batches of products.

Nowadays, at the end of a production line a plurality of products ispresented arranged according to a configuration that is advantageous forthe production process. Such configuration is not always ideal for beingused by apparatuses for packaging.

In systems for conveying apparatuses for packaging, and in systems forloading trays or cartons, it is often necessary to reorder the productsarriving from the production line according to a pre-establishedconfiguration, advantageous for the subsequent packaging, beforeexecuting the operation for conveying, or loading, products into theapparatuses therefor.

In order to obtain an ordered configuration for packaging, usually oneof the following operations is carried out:

-   -   the products are arranged in the configuration of a layer before        retrieving the layer and inserting it into a package, for        example by way of a pick-and-place system,    -   an ordered batch of products is created in order to then push        it, or load it, into a package, for example by way of a pusher.

Usually the products arriving from the production line are brought byfeeder conveyor belts, so as to be arranged in single file, andsubsequently they reach a system of pockets, conveniently contoured,each one of which is adapted to contain a single product.

Such pockets are mounted on the belt of a portioning device which isarranged at 90° with respect to the belt that brings the products insingle file.

The portioning device, as soon as it receives a product in one of itspockets, advances by one position, or step, so as to present a new,empty pocket at the conveyor belt.

In this portioning device, which is commonly known as a “race-track”,the products, which on the conveyor belt were in single file, arelocated arranged side by side, at a fixed distance which is determinedby the distance between the walls of the pockets.

Such fixed distance determines an ideal configuration so that, forexample, a pick-and-place system can take the batch in order to insertit into a tray, or a pusher can push the necessary number of productsout of the portioning device to make up the batch to be packaged.

If the feed rate of the products exceeds the time necessary for thepick-and-place or for the pusher to extract the products from theportioning device, the latter can be split.

In this case, the portioning device is flanked by another, at a distancesuch that it is possible to send a first batch to the pockets of a firstportioning device, and a second batch to a second portioning device.

The pockets are contoured and mounted so as to be presented before theconveyor belt as if they were part of a single portioning device,although in reality they belong to two different portioning devices,driven by independent motors.

When the pockets on the first portioning device are occupied by productsthat make up a first batch, ready to be picked up, the second portioningdevice seamlessly continues the operation at the loading point,presenting the respective empty pockets one after the other, ready to beoccupied by products arriving from the conveyor belt, in order to form asecond batch.

In the meantime, the first portioning device transfers the first batchto the pickup point of the pick-and-place system.

Then, the first portioning device stops momentarily and the first batchhalts, at such pickup point, for a sufficient time for the operationcarried out by the pick-and-place system.

As soon as such operation has been completed, the first portioningdevice brings its set of empty pockets to the point for conveying,queuing up with the second portioning device, within a period of timethat prevents packaging discontinuities.

In this manner it is possible to load the pockets, at the point forconveying, at the speed determined by the product arriving on theconveyor belt, while at the pickup point a halt time is ensured that iscompatible with the picking-up operation.

The portioning device is driven by electronic motors which are actuatedby product-presence photocells on the arriving belts.

The operation and the adjustment of the system of portioning devices ismanaged by a controller via software.

Such conventional techniques have a number of drawbacks.

The pockets moved by the portioning devices are expensive and numerous,because each single pocket is adapted to contain a single product andthey have specific contours made especially for each individual type ofproduct.

The number of pockets and the associated contours also have the functionof compacting the products in order to form the batch to be packaged.

For this reason, every time the format of the product arriving from theconveyor belt changes, it is necessary to change the pockets of theportioning device and this requires a considerable amount of time torefit the machine.

Furthermore, even at low advancement speeds of the conveyor belt it isnecessary to use two portioning devices and this determines the need tohave two different portioning devices with consequent two differentdrive units, two different groups of pockets and an overall softwaresystem for managing the apparatus, which is complex and expensive.

The aim of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for groupingproducts and/or separating discrete batches, for packaging, which iscapable of improving the known art in one or more of the above mentionedaspects.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide an apparatusfor grouping products and/or separating discrete batches, for packaging,that eliminates the need to use two portioning devices for theoperations to package the products.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for groupingproducts and/or separating discrete batches, for packaging, thateliminates the need to have individual pockets for the formation ofbatches of products and which reduces the overall number of pockets, forthe same number of portioned products.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus forgrouping products and/or separating discrete batches, for packaging,that can be easily adapted to different types of product.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for groupingproducts and/or separating discrete batches, for packaging, that ishighly reliable, easy to implement and of low cost.

This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparenthereinafter are achieved by an apparatus for grouping products andseparating discrete batches, for packaging, which comprises a portioningdevice which has:

-   -   a belt which can slide between a plurality of movement and        transmission rollers, the arrangement of said rollers defining        the transverse profile of said belt,    -   a plurality of partitions which extend from said belt at right        angles thereto, outward from said transverse profile,

said apparatus being characterized in that said portioning devicecomprises at least one curved section which is curved substantiallyoutward from said transverse profile of said belt, between two of saidrollers.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will becomebetter apparent from the description of some preferred, but notexclusive, embodiments of the apparatus for grouping products andseparating discrete batches, for packaging, according to the invention,which are illustrated for the purposes of non-limiting example in theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an overall view of an apparatus for grouping products and/orseparating discrete batches, for packaging, according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus in FIG. 1 in a first operatingapplication,

FIG. 3 is a side view of an apparatus for grouping products and/orseparating discrete batches, for packaging, according to the invention,in a second operating application,

FIG. 4 is a side view of the apparatus in FIG. 1 in a third operatingapplication.

With reference to the figures, an apparatus for grouping products and/orseparating discrete batches, for packaging, according to the invention,is generally designated by the reference numeral 1.

The apparatus 1 comprises a portioning device 10.

The portioning device 10 is arranged, in operation, downstream of aconveyor belt 11 for products 12.

The conveyor belt 11 brings the products 12 to the portioning device 10.

The portioning device 10 has:

-   -   a belt 13 which can slide between a plurality of movement and        transmission rollers 14,    -   a plurality of partitions 15 which extend from the belt 13 at        right angles thereto.

Advantageously the partitions 15 are all identical.

The arrangement of these rollers 14 defines the transverse profile ofthe belt 13.

The expression “transverse profile”, in the present description, meansthe projection of the belt 13 onto a plane perpendicular to the rollers14.

One of the peculiarities of the invention consists in that the belt 13comprises at least one curved section 16 which is curved substantiallyoutward from the transverse profile of the belt 13, between two of theserollers 14.

This curved section 16 is directed downward.

The separator partitions 15 extend outward from the transverse profileof the belt 13.

The portioning device 10 comprises a shape 17, inside of the transverseprofile of the belt 13, at the curved section 16, which is adapted todetermine its curvature.

The shape 17 extends between the two rollers 14 that are arranged at theends of the curved section 16.

Advantageously, the shape 17 has a profile shaped like a circular arc.

The portioning device 10 comprises, outside of the transverse profile ofthe belt 13 and at the curved section 16, a chute 18.

The chute 18 has the same curvature as the shape 17 and as the section16, is arranged at a distance from the belt 13 which is comparable tothe height of the partitions 15, and has a width that is comparable tothe width of the belt 13.

The chute 18 has an upper end 19, which is arranged proximate to andbelow the conveyor belt 11, in a first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2and 4, and a lower end 20, which is arranged at a portion 21 that can beopened by horizontal sliding.

The openable portion 21 is for example a horizontal plane and/orshutter.

In a second embodiment of the apparatus 1, shown in FIG. 3, the openableportion 21 is arranged proximate to the conveyor belt 11.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the apparatus 1, theportioning device 10 has a belt 13 which comprises a substantiallyhorizontal section 22, above the curved section 16.

The conveyor belt 11 can be arranged as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, inorder to provide batches of products 12 in the portioning device 10 withthe individual products 12 arranged vertically, or it can present adifferent configuration, as shown schematically in FIG. 3, in order toprovide batches of products 12 in the portioning device 10 with theindividual products 12 arranged horizontally, one above the other; insuch case it will have a sliding direction arranged substantially at 90°with respect to the transverse profile of the portioning device 10.

Below the openable portion 21 there is, for example, a belt 23 forconveying packages 24.

In this manner, it is possible to package a batch of products 12,arranged on the openable portion 21, by opening such portion 21 andmaking the batch fall, by gravity, into the packaging 24 arranged below.

In particular, at least one of the rollers 14 is a driving roller andcan be actuated both in one direction of rotation and in the oppositedirection.

In this manner it is possible to adapt the portioning device 10 of theapparatus 1 to different applications and to the packaging of differenttypes of product 12.

One of the peculiarities of the invention consists in that the apparatus1 comprises a portioning device 10 and a swiveling conveyor belt 11.

The term “swiveling” in the present description means that the conveyorbelt 11 is capable of lifting and/or lowering its end that is proximateto the portioning device 10, as indicated by the arrow 30 in thefigures.

The swiveling of the conveyor belt 11 is achieved by way of liftingmeans that are conventional, which are synchronized with the movement ofthe portioning device 10 and controlled by software for controlling theentire apparatus 1.

Operation of the apparatus 1 according to an application shown in FIGS.2 and 4 is as follows.

The products 12 are conveyed by the conveyor belt 11 toward theportioning device 10.

When they reach the upper end 19 of the chute 18, they enter a space 25created between two consecutive partitions 15 of the belt 13, whichadvances, in steps, with a speed comparable to the speed of the product12 falling into the space 25 of the belt 13.

As the products 12 enter the space 25 of the belt 13, the latteradvances one step, in the direction of the arrow 31.

The products 12, on entering the chute 18, are compacted, arrangingthemselves beside each other by virtue of gravity, and by virtue of thepresence of the partitions 15 batches are formed with a predeterminednumber of products 12 arranged vertically.

In this manner it is possible to obtain compact batches, without theneed for individual pockets for each individual product.

These batches, thus formed, advance toward the openable portion 21.

Once a batch fully occupies the openable portion 21, the latter isopened, allowing the batch to fall into an underlying package 24, whichis brought into position by the belt 23 for conveying packages.

If the time to unload the batch is greater than the time for conveyingthe portioning device 10, it is possible to allow the unloading of thebatch while continuing to feed the portioning device 10, in thefollowing manner.

During the stop phase of the belt 13, for unloading the batch throughthe openable portion 21, the belt 11 is directed vertically, and islifted one step upward in order to feed the portioning device 10.

Then, the openable portion 21 is closed and the belt 13 moves two stepsforward.

At this point the belt 11 is lowered by one step in order to continuefeeding the new space 25 of the portioning device 10, returning to thestarting configuration, with the belt 13 advancing once again, one stepat a time.

In this manner, the apparatus 1 makes it possible to carry out packagingat speeds comparable to those of the apparatuses now on the market, butusing a single portioning device.

Operation of the apparatus 1 according to a different application, shownin FIG. 3, is as follows.

The products 12 are conveyed by the conveyor belt 11 toward theportioning device 10, into a space beside the openable portion 21, thespace on the right in FIG. 3.

The sliding direction of the conveyor belt 11 is substantially at 90°with respect to the transverse profile of the belt 13, and is proximateto the openable portion 21.

In this case, the swiveling of the conveyor belt 11 is carried out inorder to stack the products, one over the other, within a single space25.

The conveyor belt 11 is lifted one step, if necessary, for each productin the stack, starting from the starting level.

When the stack is complete, the belt 13 advances by one step in thedirection of the arrow 32, and the belt 11 is lowered by a number ofsteps equal to the number performed in order to build the previous stackin the space 25, from the lower level.

Then the operation begins again, in order to fill a new space.

The swiveling is reduced, or not necessary, if the conveyor belt 11 isat a higher level than the level of the openable portion 21.

Once a predefined number of these stacks makes up the predeterminedbatch, fully occupying the openable portion 21, the latter is opened,allowing the batch to exit.

The batch exiting from the openable portion 21 falls, for example, intoan underlying package 24, which is brought into position by the belt 23for conveying packages.

In every embodiment, the batches made up, which exit from the openableportion 21, can be packaged according to any conventional method.

When it is necessary to vary the size or the shape of the spaces of theportioning device 10, for a new type of product, it is sufficient toloosen the tension on the tensioner of the belt, which is conventionaland not shown in the figures, replace the belt 13 with one that haspartitions at a suitable distance and of a suitable size, reapply thetension to the tensioner of the belt, and bring it to the startingposition.

In this manner, the apparatus according to the invention can be used forgrouping products and separating discrete batches of different types ofproduct, from snacks and biscuits to body care and perfumery products.

The apparatus 1, according to the invention, is managed and controlledby software.

In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves theintended aim and objects by providing an apparatus for grouping productsand/or separating discrete batches, for packaging, that eliminates theneed to have two portioning devices for the operations to package theproducts.

According to the invention, an apparatus for grouping products and/orseparating discrete batches, for packaging, has been devised thateliminates the need to have individual pockets for the formation ofbatches of products and which reduces the overall number of pockets, forthe same number of products conveyed.

In addition, with the invention an apparatus for grouping productsand/or separating discrete batches, for packaging, has been providedthat can be easily adapted to different types of product.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modificationsand variations, all of which are within the scope of the appendedclaims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other,technically equivalent elements.

In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible withthe specific use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be anyaccording to requirements and to the state of the art.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102019000001979 fromwhich this application claims priority are incorporated herein byreference.

1.-13. (canceled)
 14. An apparatus for grouping products and separatingdiscrete batches, for packaging, which comprises a portioning devicewhich has: a belt which can slide between a plurality of movement andtransmission rollers, an arrangement of said rollers defining atransverse profile of said belt, a plurality of partitions which extendfrom said belt at right angles thereto, outward from said transverseprofile, wherein said portioning device comprises at least one curvedsection which is curved substantially outward from said transverseprofile of said belt, between two of said rollers.
 15. The apparatusaccording to claim 14, wherein said portioning device comprises a shape,inside of said transverse profile of said belt, at said curved section,said shape extending between said two rollers that are arranged at endsof said curved section.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 15, whereinsaid shape has a profile shaped like a circular arc.
 17. The apparatusaccording to claim 14, further comprising, outside said transverseprofile of said belt and at said curved section, a chute.
 18. Theapparatus according to claim 17, wherein said chute has a same curvatureas said shape and as said section, is arranged at a distance from saidbelt which is comparable to a height of said partitions, and has a widththat is comparable to a width of said belt.
 19. The apparatus accordingto claim 17, wherein said chute has an upper end and a lower end, whichis arranged at a portion which can be opened by horizontal sliding. 20.The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said portion is ahorizontal plane and/or shutter.
 21. The apparatus according to claim14, wherein said belt comprises a substantially horizontal section abovesaid curved section.
 22. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein atleast one of said movement and transmission rollers is a driving rollerwhich can be actuated both in one direction of rotation and in theopposite direction.
 23. The apparatus according to claim 19, furthercomprising a conveyor belt for said products.
 24. The apparatusaccording to claim 23, wherein said upper end of said chute is arrangedproximate to and below said conveyor belt.
 25. The apparatus accordingto claim 23, wherein said portion which can be opened by horizontalsliding is arranged proximate to said conveyor belt, said conveyor belthaving a sliding direction substantially at 90° with respect to saidtransverse profile of said belt of said portioning device.
 26. Theapparatus according to claim 23, wherein said conveyor belt isswiveling.